“Intervention”, the critically acclaimed and Emmy award winning docuseries, hasbeen around since 2005. It’s a gritty portrayal of real people across the US in the devastating grip of active addiction.
The show highlights the daily life of an addict – the despair, the struggle and the chaos surrounding themselves and those around them. Instead of glamorizing substance abuse or addiction, the show focuses on the heartbreak and devastation that addiction can bring to a family.
The show delves into the addicts’ life from birth and highlights environmental and family situations that have resulted in trauma and led to addictive behavior. At the end of the show, the addicts are unknowingly led to an intervention.
A COORDINATED APPROACH
An intervention usually involves a meeting coordinated by an interventionist, where the addict is confronted head on by their family and others who are close to them – it is usually the last desperate attempt by loved ones to seek help. In this space, the family can safely address the impact that the addiction is having on addict themselves and those around them.
An intervention is beneficial for the person in active addiction, as well as co- dependent family members or loved ones. Most families are not capable of dealing with an addiction that has spiraled out of control & actually enable the bad, toxic behavior.
During an intervention, the addict is also made aware of the consequences of their behavior. As seen in the show, co-dependent family members often allow the addict to live in, and ‘use’, in their homes, & even give them money to feed
their addiction. Boundaries are often blurred & there are no consequences for the addict’s behavior.
IMPORTANCE OF FAMILY INVOLVEMENT
Someone in active addiction can be blinded to the world around them. They often need to be confronted by more than one family member, as well as an interventionist, in order to face the gravity of the situation. It is often very difficult for family members to diffuse the situation alone; as most addicts may see this as a personal attack. The conversation has to be very carefully navigated by an expert in order to reach the ultimate goal – for the person to acknowledge the destruction their addiction is causing and to be willing to go to treatment.
The interventionist encourages the family to share their feelings, and both the interventionist and the family, encourage the addict to seek treatment. Often, a treatment plan has already been setup, and if the addict agrees, they are taken immediately to a rehabilitation center.
TOUGH LOVE
Sometimes, families and close friends have to take these extreme measures to force the addict to see that they desperately need help, and if they continue on their downward spiral of addiction, it will result in death. Interventions can be successful and often, the only way to make a breakthrough, is by forcing an addicts’ hand. Families are encouraged to practice tough love yet offer love and support at the same time.
With an intervention, it’s vital for the addict to acknowledge that their lives have become unmanageable and be willing to go to treatment. If they feel as if they have their addiction under control and are resentful at the suggestion of rehab, it
is more likely for them to relapse. It’s therefore vital for families to be clear on what they will lose if they don’t seek help.
At Bali Beginnings, we believe family support is key to an addicts’ recovery.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
